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40 feared killed as militia gangs clash in Benue

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More than 40 persons, including a family of seven, were feared killed in clashes between militia gangs in Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue on Tuesday.

A highly reliable military source said on Wednesday in Makurdi that security operatives had been deployed in the area to restore normalcy.

He said locals In the area would need to furnish the operatives with credible information to succeed in the operation, however.

“It was militia men that were killing themselves.

“One or two persons might have been caught in the crossfire, but the majority of the people that were killed were members of militia gangs in the area.

“The villagers know those carrying out this dastardly act, but are shielding them.

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“We saw several corpses. The attack was not carried out by suspected armed herdsmen. It was a clash between two local militia groups,’’ the source said.

Police in Benue also confirmed the clash and declared that only eight corpses had so far been recovered from the scene.

Police spokesman, SP Sewuese Anene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that additional operatives had been deployed in the area to restore peace and order.

Anene denied knowledge of any on-going mass burial taking place in the community as was being rumoured.

An independent source in the area corroborated the position of the military source that most of the dead persons were members of the rival militia gangs.

He said about 12 farmers were caught in the crossfire, while many were still missing.

A traditional ruler in the area, who requested anonymity, said the bloody fight began on Tuesday morning.

He said a militia leader in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue went to Chinkai community in Wukari Local Government Area in neighbouring Taraba at the weekend and kidnapped a tribal militia leader.

He also kidnapped family members of the Chinkai militia leader, he added.

“After kidnapping them, he demanded for N100 million ransom, but was given N5 million. After collecting the money, he killed his hostages.

“The murder of the hostages sparked outrage among members of the victims’ gang members in Taraba.

“A different militia gang leader in Ukum, joined forces with the avenging militia gang from Taraba to help to eliminate the Ukum gang leader who abducted and killed his Chinkai community victims.

“The essence was to enable him (the collaborator), to become the head of militia gang in Ukum,’’ he said.

The traditional ruler said the combined forces of two different tribal militia gangs started moving into Gbagir bushes in their hundreds from Sunday to sack the gang that killed the Taraba militia gang leader.

“On Tuesday morning the bloody fight ensued.

“From what we have heard more than 45 persons, mainly bandits have been killed. We also have a record of about 12 farmers who were caught in the crossfire.

“More than 30 others were injured while some are still missing.

“Sadly caught in the crossfire was a family of seven,’’ he added.

He said also that the armed men had also spread into bushes in the surrounding areas but could not move into residential areas because of the timely intervention of troops of “Operation Whirl Stroke’’ (OPWS).

“When people noticed the movement of the armed tribal militia groups into Benue communities, the chiefs informed political leaders who briefed Gov. Hyacinth Alia who equally alerted the military for swift action.

“It was the timely response of the governor and the intervention of the OPWS that saved the people of Ukum Local Government Area,’’ he stressed. (NAN)

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Senator Umeh commiserates with family of boy swept away by flood

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The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the family of Engr. Christian Ezenwafor in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, following the tragic death of their six-year-old son, Master Success Ezenwafor.

The incident occurred earlier in the week when floodwaters swept away a vehicle conveying pupils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Awka. Among the victims was young Success, whose life was cut short in heartbreaking circumstances.

Senator Umeh, who was in Awka on an on-the-spot assessment of the growing menace of flooding and erosion in the area, made a stop at Nibo to personally console the bereaved family.

The victim, Master Success Ezenwafor

Expressing deep sadness over the loss, Senator Umeh offered words of solace to the grieving parents and family members during the visit.

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“It is heartbreaking that such a young and promising life was cut short in such tragic circumstances,” Senator Umeh said. “Words are insufficient to heal this kind of pain, but we pray that God Almighty grants your family the fortitude and strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Senator Dr Umeh with the bereaved family

The senator also reiterated his commitment to working with relevant authorities to tackle the recurring flooding and erosion challenges in Anambra Central, stressing that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of lives and property.

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Enugu Council Election: Residents comply with movement restriction directive, as roads, markets, shops closed

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Residents of Enugu metropolis on Saturday complied to the restriction of human and vehicular movement in the ongoing Local Government Election in the state.

It was observed that most roads remained empty of vehicular movement, while markets and shops were closed.

It was also observed that security men on election duties were seen in strategic locations within the metropolis.

Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, noted that security agencies had maintained that the restriction of movement must work to ensure a smooth and hitch-free election.

Ndukwe said that security agencies had begun strict enforcement of the restriction order and would “definite close all shops and penalize motorist found wanting”.

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“So, far, the security situation has been generally peaceful and the election process is ongoing smoothly as anticipated.

“We are hopeful it will remain peaceful till 4p.m. when the process will be over.

“From our observation, the restriction of movement has been generally complied with and we will definitely deal with those that act in the contrary today.

“We call on all in the state to be calm, cast their votes peacefully and maintain decorum throughout the process,” he said.

It would be recalled that the police, on behalf of other security agencies, ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the state from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials.

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission,(ENSIEC) is conducting election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state.

Seven political parties, who signed the Peace Pact for the election on Monday, are currently participating at the election.

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Police officer who said Obi, Igbo man can never be president arrested, in trouble

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Anti-Obi and anti-Igbo Police Inspector
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The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the police inspector seen in a viral video making inappropriate remarks while travelling in public transport.

The command also said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the command was committed to transparency and accountability and would not condone conduct capable of bringing the NPF into disrepute.

She said the statements made by the inspector were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position, views or official disposition of the command or the NPF.

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The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, reiterated the need for professionalism, civility and discipline among personnel.

“CP Tijani reiterates that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.

“He said wearing the police uniform came with the responsibility to uphold the integrity and reputation of the NPF.

“The CP warned that the command would not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the police.

“He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability and maintaining professional standards among its personnel,” Adebisi said.

The spokesperson said the command remained committed to transparency, accountability and policing with humility and integrity.

In a viral video circulating on social media, the inspector was seen and heard making political and ethnic remarks about former Anambra governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while aboard a public transport.

The Inspector was also heard making claims about Obi’s suitability for the presidency and alleging that he was a criminal and a “Yahoo” person.

He further suggested that President Bola Tinubu would use his financial resources to defeat Obi in an election, while claiming that an Igbo man could not become president of Nigeria. (NAN)

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